(SeaPRwire) - Concerns are rising in Syria that President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration seeks to curtail the rights and freedoms of civilians by advancing a stricter interpretation of Islamic principles.Recently, local authorities in Damascus, the capital, prohibited restaurants and bars from serving alcohol across most areas of the city. Only establishments located in predominantly Christian neighborhoods were permitted to continue selling alcohol, but exclusively for off-premises consumption. The decision prompted small-scale protests throughout Damascus, leading to deployment of security forces to maintain order."What we're observing is pressure exerted by certain segments of Syrian society—namely religious clerics and more hardline Islamists who advocate for an Islamist vision of how Syrian society should be structured," stated Robert Ford, former U.S. ambassador to Syria, in an interview with Digital. Syria’s provisional constitution is based on Islamic law.Hind Kabawat, Syria’s social affairs minister—a Christian and the sole female member in al-Sharaa’s cabinet—denied claims that alcohol consumption should be restricted solely to Christian districts."Our neighborhoods are not spaces for alcohol, but the heart of Damascus remains inclusive," she wrote in a Facebook post."The strength of our nation lies in its diversity, and any radical or extremist viewpoint will only weaken our country," she added.In reaction to public backlash, Damascus officials revised their stance, announcing that alcohol could still be sold at venues significant to tourism, such as hotels and select restaurants.The shift marks a major change for residents of Damascus, where alcohol had been widely accessible in bars and eateries for decades—even during the authoritarian rule of former President Bashar al-Assad."Policies like this, which erode personal freedoms in Syria, are deeply troubling. When such measures occur outside Damascus, the central government can justify them by citing limited control. However, seeing these actions implemented in Damascus itself carries special significance since President al-Sharaa holds strong influence there," remarked Mara Karlin, a former official at the Department of Defense and professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), in an interview with Digital."If he is indeed steering Syria toward an Islamist model, it raises serious questions about how much progress he has made beyond his past affiliations," Karlin continued.Al-Sharaa, who led the Islamist rebel group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to victory over Assad, has undertaken an international outreach campaign since assuming power, visiting multiple foreign capitals and working to reintegrate Syria into the global community.Former President Donald Trump even publicly endorsed al-Sharaa, whom he first met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in May 2025 and subsequently hosted at the White House in November 2025—the first time a Syrian leader visited the White House since the country's independence in 1946.Karlin, who testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee in February regarding challenges facing post-Assad Syria, acknowledged that while the current government includes former jihadists, they have largely governed with pragmatism and minimal ideological rigidity.She also noted, however, that their authority extends weakly beyond Damascus."There have been troubling cases involving restrictions on women’s rights, and developments such as these warrant careful monitoring to assess both the government’s reach and underlying ideology."Ford, who served as the last U.S. ambassador in Damascus in 2011, emphasized that al-Sharaa is not a proponent of democracy and likely intends to impose elements of an Islamist agenda on Syria. Nonetheless, he has refrained from doing so since toppling the Assad regime in 2024.While the ordinances enforced in Damascus and other regions are issued by local officials, those individuals remain directly accountable to the central government and are loyal to al-Sharaa—and likely endorse an Islamist vision for Syria’s future.Some fear the alcohol ban may hinder Syria’s fragile post-war recovery, especially as al-Sharaa strives to reintegrate the country into the global economy and revive its tourism sector.The World Bank estimates Syria’s reconstruction needs amount to approximately $216 billion following nearly 14 years of civil war. Previously, Syria’s tourism minister indicated that rebuilding the industry would require at least $100 million over the next seven years.Alcohol is not the only target of local enforcement efforts. In February, officials in the port city of Latakia banned women from wearing makeup at work. Another town near Damascus outlawed men from working in women’s clothing stores to uphold public decency standards.Ford acknowledged that some local regulations do raise concerns, but stressed that ultimately, it is a domestic matter requiring Syrians themselves to determine the role of religion in shaping the country’s post-Assad identity.This article includes contributions from THE Associated Press. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
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Odds, Picks, and Predictions for PGA Tour Truist Championship
(AsiaGameHub) - This week’s Truist Championship sees the PGA Tour return to Charlotte’s Quail Hollow Club, and we’re here to provide you with all the odds, picks, and predictions you need. Last year’s tournament was hosted at The Philadelphia Cricket Club and won by Sepp Straka. Rory McIlroy (pictured above) claimed the title when the event was last held at Quail Hollow in 2024. This week, he’s back in action after taking a nearly month-long break following his Masters victory. Cameron Young delivered a winning pick for us by taking home last week’s Cadillac Championship at Doral. DraftKings Odds for the Truist Championship Take a look at the DraftKings odds for the top players vying to win the Truist Championship: Rory McIlroy +580 Cameron Young +880 Xander Schauffele +1225 Matt Fitzpatrick +1650 Ludvig Aberg +1800 Tommy Fleetwood +2350 Si Woo Kim +2500 Rickie Fowler +2900 Patrick Cantlay +2900 Robert MacIntyre +3000 Sam Burns +3100 Adam Scott +3200 Viktor Hovland +3400 Hideki Matsuyama +3600 Maverick McNealy +3800 Jordan Spieth +4100 Harris English +4100 Jason Day +4200 Jake Knapp +4300 Ben Griffin +4300 Sepp Straka +4400 J.J. Spaun +4500 Chris Gotterup +4500 Min Woo Lee +4600 Justin Thomas +4800 Kurt Kitayama +5100 Akshay Bhatia +5100 Nicolai Hojgaard +5600 Keegan Bradley +6000 Gary Woodland +6200 Justin Rose +6300 Alex Noren +6600 Jacob Bridgeman +7000 Harry Hall +7400 Sam Stevens +7600 Alex Smalley+7600 Corey Conners +7800 Top Favorite Pick to Win the Truist Championship Rory McIlroy (+580) McIlroy is this week’s betting favorite, with Scottie Scheffler absent from the field. Scheffler won last year’s PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, which meant the venue didn’t host the Truist Championship that season. We usually avoid betting on the favorite (chalk), especially with McIlroy coming off an extended rest period, but the Irish golfer has a deep love for this course—he holds four career wins at Quail Hollow from 2010, 2015, 2021, and 2024. Rory McIlroy lines up a putt at Quail Hollow during his 2024 Truist Championship win. (Photo: Kris Johnson) McIlroy has made five starts this season, with standout finishes including: The Masters – 1st Genesis Invitational – T-2 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am – T-14 Given his impressive track record at Quail Hollow, it wouldn’t be surprising to see McIlroy secure his fifth victory there this Sunday. Top Sleeper Pick to Win the Truist Championship Tommy Fleetwood (+2350) Tommy Fleetwood has finished in the top 10 in four of his eight starts this season. The defending FedEx Cup champion’s best result was a T-4 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Fleetwood has performed well in three career Truist Championship appearances, with finishes of T-13, T-5, and T-14. This season, the Englishman ranks 4th on tour in SG: Around the Green and 8th in SG: Tee to Green. Top Longshot Pick to Win the Truist Championship Justin Rose (+6300) Justin Rose had a disappointing T-65 finish at last week’s Cadillac Championship, but at 45, he’s been playing some of his best golf in recent years. In his previous start, Rose made a strong run at winning The Masters before finishing T-3. He’s already secured a win this season at the Farmers Insurance Open. In two tournament starts at Quail Hollow, Rose notched a 3rd-place finish in his 2019 debut. He still has the skill and length to succeed on this demanding course. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.
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Flyers vs. Hurricanes: Odds, Predictions, and Picks for Monday’s Playoff Game
(AsiaGameHub) - The Carolina Hurricanes will host the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 2 of their second-round playoff series. The game begins at 7 p.m. ET at the Lenovo Center, with live broadcast on ESPN. For odds, picks, and predictions, check here. DraftKings lists Carolina as a -258 home favorite, with a total of 5.5. Bettors have heavily favored the Hurricanes, with 82% of the moneyline handle and 80% of ticket sales going to Carolina. Our top recommendation is on the puckline. Best Bet: Flyers vs. Hurricanes -1.5 (+110) Carolina secured a dominant 3-0 victory in Game 1 on Saturday. Logan Stankoven opened the scoring just 91 seconds into the game and added another goal to lead the Canes. Stankoven leads the Hurricanes with six goals in the playoffs. Freddie Andersen (shown above) has delivered an outstanding performance in net for the Canes. After struggling during the regular season, Andersen has gone 5-0 in the postseason with a goals against average of 0.90. He has also recorded two shutouts. With both goaltenders performing strongly in the playoffs, we favor the UNDER 5.5 tonight. Carolina restricted Philadelphia to only 19 shots and four high-danger chances in Game 1. The Hurricanes remain unbeaten at home and overall throughout the playoffs. To find value, we are taking the Hurricanes -1.5 goals on the puckline at plus-money odds. Pick: Carolina -1.5 (+110) Parlay: Carolina -1.5/UNDER 5.5 (+330) Best Player Prop for Carolina Hurricanes Logan Stankoven OVER 2.5 Shots on Goal (-125) Stankoven is making a strong case for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He became the first player in franchise history to score goals in five consecutive postseason games. Impressively, Stankoven has exceeded 2.5 shots on goal in all five playoff games: 6, 5, 4, 3, and 5. This trend is expected to continue tonight. He leads Carolina with 23 shots on goal in the playoffs. Best Player Prop for Philadelphia Flyers Dan Vladar OVER 25.5 Saves (-125) Dan Vladar stopped 20 of 23 shots in the opening game. In the previous round, he made 42 saves in the series-clinching win over the Penguins. Having had a week off, the Hurricanes posted their lowest shot total of the playoffs. They averaged 33.25 shots per game in the first round against the Senators. Shot volume should return to normal tonight, and Vladar has been excellent in the postseason. Over seven starts, Vladar boasts a 1.82 goals against average and a .928 save percentage. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.
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Netflix’s New Survival Thriller Adapts 72-Year-Old Classic
Netflix(SeaPRwire) - In recent years, television has seen a surge in series centered on groups of teenagers navigating survival and the reconstruction of society in the wilderness, devoid of adult supervision. This trend began with The 100, followed by The Society, The Wilds, and most recently, Yellowjackets, which is currently in production for its fourth and final season. These programs all share a common foundation: William Golding’s 1954 novel, Lord of the Flies, which depicts British schoolboys stranded on a deserted island as they struggle to survive and compete for authority. Despite the novel's profound cultural impact, it has never previously been adapted for television. Now, a creative force behind one of Netflix’s recent hit dramas has transformed the story into a polished, stylized miniseries that reinforces the original work's allegorical nature. Lord of the Flies was written and developed by Jack Thorne, the creator of Adolescence, a single-shot miniseries that stands as one of Netflix’s most critically acclaimed projects. Thorne returns to the exploration of the youthful male psyche, focusing on a group of British schoolboys on a mysterious island. Each of the four episodes centers on a specific survivor, starting with Nicholas (David McKenna), known as Piggy. As the group's intellectual, Piggy is the first to encounter Ralph (Winston Sawyers). Together, they use a conch shell to gather the other boys, who subsequently elect Ralph as their leader. However, their attempts to establish a power structure eventually collapse, descending into chaos and violence. From the opening episode, it is evident that this adaptation embraces creative risks. As the boys congregate on the beach, the camera frequently cuts to extreme close-ups of their faces, serving as an immediate introduction. Director Mark Munden, a prominent UK television filmmaker known for works ranging from the cult hit Utopia to Park Chan-wook’s The Sympathizer, utilizes his full range of directorial skills to craft a visually stunning portrayal of youthful energy set against a lush backdrop. Composer Hans Zimmer also delivers a standout performance, moving away from his typical grand orchestral scores in favor of an instrumental soundtrack that mirrors the frantic energy of a group of pre-teens hunting. Given that many of the boys are members of a choir, the series makes ingenious use of choral music, lending the events a mythical quality that suits the story’s origins as an allegory for British colonialism. The direction, score, and performances by the young actors in this series really make it shine. | NetflixThe success of such series relies heavily on casting, a challenge when working with young actors, yet this production excels in that regard. David McKenna, who is set to appear in Netflix’s upcoming Chronicles of Narnia film, delivers a performance as Piggy that serves as a strong testament to his talent. Lox Pratt also emerges as a breakout star in the role of the villainous, blond Jack—a character type he will soon revisit as he prepares to play the similarly villainous Draco Malfoy in HBO’s Harry Potter series. The only difficulty in watching these four episodes was the knowledge that the boys I had grown attached to would inevitably turn against one another with lethal results. However, this awareness only makes those climactic moments more impactful. Whether you read the book in middle school or are coming to it for the first time, this concise miniseries is sure to captivate you. Lord of the Flies is now streaming on Netflix. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
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TaxiNexo Accelerates Global Expansion: Autonomous Taxis Arrive in Los Angeles
NEW YORK, May 4, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - TaxiNexo, an AI-powered mobility company, recently announced that it began its global strategy years ago, aiming to bring autonomous taxis to major cities worldwide. Currently, the company has already launched autonomous taxi services in New York City and achieved initial success.TaxiNexo continues to expand its autonomous driving network. Following New York, the company will soon officially launch its autonomous taxi service in Los Angeles, further expanding its presence in its key US markets.In addition to the cities already mentioned, TaxiNexo is also targeting other major American cities, including Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Atlanta, planning to gradually advance testing and commercial operation of autonomous vehicles to build a national smart mobility network.The company stated that its autonomous taxi system, based on an AI-powered dispatch platform and autonomous driving technology, can achieve efficient operation and continuous optimization. In high-frequency urban travel scenarios, this model is expected to improve traffic efficiency and provide users with a more convenient travel experience.The company has long invested in research and development of autonomous driving technology and its expansion into the global market, aiming not only to enter a single city but also to create an autonomous mobility ecosystem spanning multiple cities and countries.In its future development strategy, the company aims to become the world's largest autonomous vehicle operation and rental company and promote the global adoption of autonomous mobility services.Media contactBrand: TaxiNexoContact: Media teamWebsite: https://www.taxinexo.com Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
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As bossware backlash grows, Vaiz launches work management built on trust, not tracking
LIMASSOL, CYPRUS, May 4, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Vaiz, a Cyprus-based work management platform, is growing its user base with a product principle most competitors ignore: zero employee surveillance. The platform has no keystroke logging, no screenshot capture, no mouse tracking, and no automatic activity monitoring. It is a deliberate product decision, not a missing feature.Vaiz combines tasks, documents, and team collaboration in one workspace — without any form of employee activity tracking.The announcement comes as workplace monitoring faces renewed criticism. In April 2026, a major technology company began installing software on employee computers to record keystrokes, mouse movements, and screen activity to train AI models. The decision triggered immediate employee backlash and public debate about the limits of employer surveillance. A growing number of teams are now looking for tools that help them coordinate work without tracking how people spend every minute.Why no-surveillance work management matters nowEmployee monitoring software has grown from a niche practice to a global norm. Adoption rose from 30 percent before the pandemic to 60 percent by 2022. In 2026, the EU AI Act classifies workplace AI monitoring as high-risk and restricts practices such as emotion recognition in employment, with penalties up to 35 million euros or 7 percent of global revenue.Research shows that 31 percent of monitored employees feel micromanaged, and 23 percent report a sense of constant surveillance. For small and mid-sized teams that depend on trust and speed, surveillance tools often cause more harm than the problems they claim to solve. Vaiz was designed for these teams. The platform does not include any automatic activity tracking, screen recording, or behavioural monitoring.What Vaiz offers instead of surveillanceVaiz is a unified work management platform that brings tasks, documents, files, and team discussions into a single workspace. Rather than tracking employee behaviour, the platform makes work visible through structure: task boards, project timelines, milestones, and shared documents that give everyone context without oversight software.The platform connects to over 2,000 applications through Zapier and offers native integrations with Slack, GitHub, and GitLab. Embedded tools include Figma, Miro, YouTube, Vimeo, Swagger, and GraphQL editors. A built-in AI assistant turns goals into task breakdowns, generates project plans, summarises discussions into action items, and improves document clarity. A native MCP server connects Vaiz to AI assistants such as Claude and Cursor, and three public SDKs let developers extend the platform. The full list is available on the integrations page.Vaiz co-founder Konstantin Cherkasov explained the company's position: "We build tools that help teams coordinate their work, not tools that watch people. If a platform needs to capture your screen to know whether you are productive, the problem is not the employee — it is the platform."Switching and pricingVaiz's Migration Center supports one-click imports from Jira, Asana, Trello, YouTrack, Notion, Linear, Monday, ClickUp, and Wrike. Pricing starts with a forever free plan for up to 10 users, no credit card required. The Pro plan costs five US dollars per user per month, and the Premium plan costs nine US dollars per user per month. An Enterprise edition with on-premises deployment is available for organisations with data residency requirements. A 30-day free trial covers all paid plans, and startups qualify for a 50 percent discount.Development paceVaiz today releases version 2.84, which introduces calendar integration. Since September 2025, this is the tenth numbered release. The team has recently moved to a two-week release cycle, accelerating from the previous pace of roughly one major update every three weeks. Earlier releases in 2026 delivered an improved UI, Slack integration, Cursor IDE support, and an iOS app with full desktop parity. The public product roadmap is available on the website.The company's focus is building a connected workspace where teams can plan, execute, and communicate in one place — without tools that treat employees as subjects of observation. More information is available at vaiz.com.About VaizVaiz Ltd was founded in 2024 and is headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus. The company operates a cloud-based work management platform that combines task boards, documents, and automation in one workspace. Vaiz is used by cross-functional teams at startups, product companies, game studios, agencies, and growing businesses.Related linksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vaiz/Media contactBrand: VaizContact: Mike BurtonEmail: support@vaiz.comWebsite: https://vaiz.com Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
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China Repatriates Suspected $73M Cross-Border Gambling Ring Mastermind Ahead of Trial
(AsiaGameHub) - Chinese police have repatriated a man suspected of running a $73 million illegal online sports betting platform. Investigators stated that the individual, surnamed Huang, launched the Wanhe Soccer website in September 2022, alongside a group of criminal accomplices. According to Chinese media outlet China.com, police believe the group targeted customers in Mainland China while basing their operations in Cambodia. Authorities think Huang operated the platform as a pyramid scheme, promising potential users “guaranteed profits” if they “recruited” new members. Detectives noted that many of the group’s mid-level members were recruited in Mainland China. The group is also reported to have targeted gamblers in Cambodia and other Southeast Asian countries. China: Repatriated Suspect Indicted Law enforcement successfully shut down the Wanhe Soccer platform in 2023, but Huang is alleged to have fled Cambodia shortly afterward. Thai police arrested Huang several months later. In February this year, a court issued an extradition order, with officers from the Tianjin Municipal Public Security Bureau and the Ministry of Public Security traveling to Thailand to repatriate him. The officers brought Huang back to Mainland China on April 29, where Tianjin prosecutors indicted him ahead of a court hearing. The bureau released two images of Huang—handcuffed and wearing a face mask—as he was informed of the police charges. Police escort Huang (center) off a flight to face charges in his home country. (Image: Tianjin Municipal Public Security Bureau) $17.6M Fraud Case: Gambling-Addicted Lawyer Jailed Chinese courts are imposing increasingly strict penalties on citizens convicted of gambling and fraud-related crimes. As reported by the Chinese newspaper Jinan Daily, a court in Anhui Province has sentenced a lawyer to life imprisonment after discovering he stole $17.6 million from his corporate clients. Prosecutors told the Bengbu Intermediate People’s Court that the lawyer, surnamed Zhou, claimed he could acquire bank non-performing asset packages at low prices through “special channels.” Zhou promised to help his clients “purchase or co-invest in these assets” and guaranteed them “lucrative returns.” He forged numerous official-looking documents and contracts to trick his clients into believing the asset purchases were real. Many of these contracts featured stamps that closely resembled the official seals of Chinese courts and other state organs. Detectives later confirmed all these documents were fake. In fact, the court heard Zhou had accumulated massive gambling debts and embezzled his clients’ money to pay them off. Police across Mainland China and Hong Kong are also cracking down on video gaming arcades that allow patrons to wager real money during private, behind-closed-doors sessions. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.
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Breaking Through ‘Chokepoint’ Technology: China Risun’s Hexamethylenediamine Plant Commenced Production
HONG KONG, May 4, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - At 6:18 a.m. on May 4, 2026, with the successful completion of the final production process, China Risun Group’s 50,000-ton/year caprolactam-to-hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) plant at the Yuncheng Production Base was fully integrated, achieving a one-time successful start-up and producing qualified products. By directly producing HMDA from caprolactam, China Risun has broken the long-standing foreign monopoly on adiponitrile technology (adiponitrile is the key raw material for HMDA, the intermediate for nylon 66, and is regarded as the “throat” of the nylon industry chain). This breakthrough in “chokepoint” technology lays the foundation for China Risun’s strategic deployment in high-end new materials, gradually building a million-ton-scale “nylon 6 + nylon 66 + specialty nylon” industrial cluster, and establishing a national-level nylon new materials base.Industry Background and Current DevelopmentHMDA is a critical raw material supporting the upgrading of the nylon new materials industry. Innovation and breakthroughs in its production technology are of great significance to the development of China’s chemical industry. Currently, the industry relies on the butadiene-based process to produce adiponitrile and then HMDA. Although mature, this route has notable shortcomings: on one hand, production costs remain high due to fluctuations in butadiene feedstock prices; on the other hand, the process is complex, with extremely high technical barriers, and key patents have long been monopolized by overseas enterprises.Against this backdrop, China Risun Group pioneered an independent R&D path, developing a new technology and process to directly produce HMDA from caprolactam. This innovation breaks industry monopolies, overcomes critical technical barriers, and opens up a new route for HMDA production.China Risun’s R&D Journey and Innovation AchievementsAs the world’s largest independent coke producer and supplier, and a global leader in differentiated coal chemical operations, China Risun Group has closely aligned with national strategic needs and accurately grasped industrial transformation trends. As early as 2011, the company foresaw the potential of the caprolactam industry, expanding its scale while establishing R&D teams to carry out independent research on new processes and technologies for caprolactam and downstream industries.Over more than a decade, China Risun’s R&D team conducted over a thousand laboratory-scale experiments, steadily advancing to pilot-scale construction and stable operation, and ultimately achieving full industrial implementation. Throughout the journey from lab-scale to pilot-scale, process development, and industrialization, the team tackled over a hundred research topics, secured dozens of core patents with fully independent intellectual property rights, and successfully developed the innovative process route of directly producing HMDA from caprolactam.Given the disruptive, pioneering, and strategic value of this achievement, Shandong Province has designated China Risun Group’s project as a provincial key engineering initiative.China Risun’s Core Industrial Advantages and CompetitivenessThe commissioning of the HMDA project highlights China Risun’s strengths in industrial synergy and R&D innovation, significantly enhancing its core competitiveness in nylon new materials and consolidating its leadership position in the chemical industry.1. Stable and Efficient Industrial Synergy The stable operation and full-scale production of the HMDA plant will synergize with the Group’s existing 810,000-ton/year caprolactam industry chain and upstream production lines at Yuncheng Industrial Park, including adipic acid, cyclohexanone, and nitric acid. This integration enables resource complementarity, technological upgrading, capacity expansion, and maximized efficiency.China Risun Group has a strong foundation in the aromatics industry chain, extending from benzene to caprolactam to HMDA, and further downstream into high-end industries such as polymer chips, fiber spinning, weaving, injection molding, modification, and polyurethane. This accelerates the construction of a full nylon 6 + nylon 66 + specialty nylon industry chain covering “upstream raw materials – midstream monomers – downstream products.”2. Continuous R&D and Innovation Capacity Compared with traditional processes, the caprolactam-to-HMDA technology offers clear advantages: simplified process flow, lower investment costs, higher safety, and improved raw material conversion rates.Both the process and catalyst are protected by China Risun’s independent intellectual property rights, breaking through domestic and international technical barriers in polyamide raw materials and filling a critical gap in China.3. Ongoing Process Optimization and Cost ReductionChina Risun’s caprolactam-to-HMDA technology achieves significantly lower unit production costs compared with the butadiene route. Future integration of R&D and production will further reduce operating costs.As the world’s second-largest caprolactam producer, China Risun’s scale advantages, industry chain integration, and comprehensive supporting infrastructure make its HMDA products highly cost-competitive.Future Planning and Development StrategyAround the caprolactam industry chain, China Risun Group has already developed and reserved multiple technologies and products, including HMDA and elastic nylon. With the continuous stabilization and upgrading of its core technologies, China Risun will expand its scale and inject new momentum into China’s nylon 66 and related industries.Looking ahead, China Risun Group will remain committed to innovation-driven development and service-oriented growth, deepening its vertically integrated model, strategically cultivating high-end chemicals and new materials, and systematically strengthening its new materials portfolio. The company is dedicated to helping China further overcome chemical and new materials technology barriers, building a modernized, autonomous, and controllable industrial system, and achieving domestic substitution of key materials such as nylon 66—contributing China Risun’s strength to the nation. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
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The 16th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Singapore) introduces new categories as market adapts in 2026
ANNUAL REAL ESTATE HONOURS RETURN AS MARKET SHOWS RESILIENCESINGAPORE, May 4, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - The 16th edition of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Singapore) programme is now open to entries as the market continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability.The 2026 edition of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Singapore) will celebrate the country's finest real estate at a gala ceremony on Friday, 30 October at The St. Regis Singapore.Top winners will later represent Singapore and vie for the “Best in Asia” accolades at the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final in Bangkok this December.Entries are now open. Key dates for the 2026 edition are:21 August 2026 – Entries Close21-25 September 2026 – Site Inspections28 September 2026 – Final Judging30 October 2026 – Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony in Singapore11 December 2026 – Regional Grand Final Gala Dinner in Bangkok, ThailandDemand and stabilityThe latest edition of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Singapore) arrives as the property market shows stability and resilient housing demand. In the first half of 2026, 4,575 private residential units will be tendered under the GLS programme, a figure representing 50% above the decade average. Meanwhile, landed property prices rose 3.4% quarter-on-quarter as of January 2026, outperforming non-landed segments and highlighting buyer urgency for long-term family homes in a tightly restricted market.Considering the market’s evolution, the 16th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Singapore) introduces several new award categories, including Best Condo Developer, Best Housing Architectural Design, Best Sales Gallery Interior Design, and Best Flexible Work Space.Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, said: “Despite global headwinds, Singapore's property market has shown resilience, with steady price growth and sustained developer confidence even at premium price points. This year's international awards showcase Singapore's market dynamism, and with several new categories introduced, we invite industry leaders to showcase their finest developments, designs, and ESG initiatives. Whether you've delivered standout projects or driven innovation in a stable but competitive market, now is the time to demonstrate excellence and raise the bar higher for Singapore property.”Roy Ling, chairperson of the independent panel of judges and CEO, board director, and adjunct professor, FollowTrade, said: “We invite Singapore’s finest real estate developers to showcase their best projects and ESG initiatives at this year’s awards as the market enters a phase of steady, more measured growth. With residential activity stabilising and commercial sectors supported by resilient demand in office and logistics, we look forward to seeing how the industry responds with innovation, quality, and adaptability in this transformative environment.”Organised by PropertyGuru Group, Southeast Asia’s leading PropTech company, the 16th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Singapore) is supported by gold sponsor Mitsubishi Electric Asia; official portal partner PropertyGuru.com.sg; official magazine Property Report by PropertyGuru; media partners D+A Magazine, Gazet International, SquareRooms Magazine, Tatler Asia Homes, and Top 10 of Singapore; supporting association Singapore Estate Agents Association; and official supervisor HLB.For more information, email awards@propertyguru.com or visit the official website: AsiaPropertyAwards.com.ABOUT PROPERTYGURU GROUPPropertyGuru is Southeast Asia's leading1 PropTech company, and the preferred destination for over 32 million property seekers monthly2 to connect with over 50,000 agents3 monthly to find their dream home. PropertyGuru empowers property seekers with more than 2.1 million real estate listings4, in-depth insights, and solutions that enable them to make confident property decisions across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.PropertyGuru.com.sg was launched in Singapore in 2007 and since then, PropertyGuru Group has made the property journey a transparent one for property seekers in Southeast Asia. In the last 18 years, PropertyGuru has grown into a high-growth PropTech company with a robust portfolio including leading property marketplaces and award-winning mobile apps across its markets in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand as well as the region's biggest and most respected industry recognition platform - PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards, events, and publications across Asia.For more information, please visit: PropertyGuruGroup.com; PropertyGuru Group on LinkedIn.(1) Based on SimilarWeb data between July 2024 and December 2024.(2) Based on Google Analytics data between July 2024 and December 2024.(3) Based on data between October 2024 and December 2024.(4) Based on data between July 2024 and December 2024.PROPERTYGURU CONTACTS:General Enquiries:Richard Allan Aquino, Head of Brand & Marketing ServicesM: +66 92 954 4154E: allan@propertyguru.com Media & Partnerships: Nate Dacua, Senior Manager, Media and Marketing ServicesM: +66 92 701 2510E: nate@propertyguru.com Sponsorships:Piyachanok Raungpaka, Senior Media & Marketing Services ExecutiveM: +66 94 887 5163E: piyachanok@propertyguru.com Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
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Global Leaders Converge in Bangkok for the 18th Annual Global CSR & ESG Summit & Awards 2026
BANGKOK, May 1, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - The 18th Annual Global CSR & ESG Summit & Awards™ 2026, held on 23 April 2026 at the prestigious Pullman Bangkok Hotel G, concluded with resounding success, welcoming over 150 distinguished delegates from across the globe.Under the bold and forward-looking theme, “AI, Energy & Transition: Resetting ESG in a New Economy,” the summit redefined the traditional conference format—transforming it into a dynamic, emotionally resonant platform that celebrated not only innovation and thought leadership, but also the human impact behind sustainability and ESG transformation.A Powerful Opening: Redefining ESG in a Changing WorldThe summit commenced with an inspiring Opening Keynote by Dr Richard David Hames, Founder & Executive Director, Centre for the Future; Fellow, World Academy of Art & Science.In his address, “Resetting ESG in the New Economy,” Dr Hames challenged conventional ESG paradigms, urging leaders to rethink sustainability in the context of rapid AI advancement, geopolitical shifts, and accelerating energy transitions. He emphasized that ESG must evolve beyond compliance frameworks into a values driven, adaptive system, integrating technological innovation with human-centric leadership and redefining how organizations create long-term value in a rapidly transforming global economy.Navigating Global Complexity: ESG in a New Political and Economic EraThis was followed by an insightful presentation from Prof. Dr Geoffrey Williams, Founder & Director, Williams Business Consultancy Sdn Bhd.In his session, “Sustainability and ESG in the Time of Trump – How AI and Global Changemakers Can Respond,” Prof. Williams explored the evolving intersection of politics, global trade dynamics, and sustainability priorities, examining how shifting geopolitical landscapes and policy uncertainties are reshaping ESG commitments worldwide and influencing corporate strategy, investment flows, and regulatory alignment across regions.Industry Leaders Drive Dialogue on AI, Energy & TransitionThe summit brought together an exceptional lineup of global experts and industry leaders who engaged in high-level discussions across critical ESG themes. These included:Mr Aru David, Director, ASSIST Mekong Region (Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand)Ms Nikita Asthana, Global Head, Sustainability & Operations Finance, Olam Global Agri Pte LtdMr Amarjit Sandhu, Corporate Vice President, Micron Technology (Singapore & Malaysia)Dr Butra Boonliang, Head of ESG Strategy & Integration, SCGC ThailandMr Alexandre Salesse, Partner, Boston Consulting Group (BCG)Ms Natthatida Tancharoen, Associate Director, Climate Change & Sustainability, KPMG ThailandDr Ely Rashid, Head of Sustainability & Country Manager’s Office, PTTEP Malaysia AssetMr Yoon Tien Ming, Head of CEO Office & Sustainability, Solarvest Holdings BerhadMr Rachit Agarwal, Principal, Boston Consulting Group (BCG)Mr Justin Nga, Director, Decarbonization, APAC, Software & Controls Solutions, GE VernovaMr Poonsit Wongthawatchai, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs Division, Bank of Ayudhya Public Company LimitedMs Winnie Khor, Senior Regional Advisor, Resource Development, World Vision East AsiaMr Sukamal Mondal, Vice President, Operations, Sustainability and Community Engagement, Amari Thailand and Oriental Residence BangkokMr Chayathorn Chanruangvanich, ESG & Corporate Sustainability Leader, PwC ThailandMr K Ganesan Kolan De Velu, Partner, Sustainability & Emerging Assurance Leader, Deloitte Southeast AsiaAcross keynote presentations, fireside chats, and panel discussions, speakers explored AI-driven ESG transformation, decarbonisation strategies, sustainable finance, and the balance between technological growth and environmental responsibility, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and innovation in shaping the future of ESG.A Visionary Closing: The Next EconomyThe summit concluded with a powerful Closing Keynote by Summit Chairman Matthias Gelber, Co-Founder and International Ambassador, Dorod Sdn Bhd.In his address, “The Next Economy: AI, Carbon, Food Security & the Human Spirit,” Mr Gelber presented a compelling vision of a rapidly evolving global landscape shaped by technological advancement, climate imperatives, and shifting socio-economic dynamics. He highlighted the interconnectedness of AI innovation, carbon transition, and food security, while emphasizing the importance of human values, resilience, and collective responsibility in navigating the complexities of the next economic era. His address served as a powerful and inspiring conclusion to the summit, leaving delegates with a renewed sense of purpose and direction.Celebrating Excellence: Global CSR & ESG Awards 2026The day culminated in the prestigious Global CSR & ESG Awards™ 2026, recognizing outstanding organizations and leaders driving sustainability excellence worldwide.Opening remarks were delivered by:Ms Anupa Rimal Lamichhane, Lead Regional Environment & Climate Specialist for Asia and the Pacific, IFADMr Srinivasa Popuri, Chief, UN-Habitat Multi-Country Office (MCO), ThailandTheir remarks highlighted the importance of continued collaboration, innovation, and commitment in advancing global ESG agendas.A Cultural Finale: Experiencing the Heart of BangkokOn 24 April 2026, delegates participated in a curated cultural tour across Bangkok, where they experienced a scenic long-tail boat journey along the Chao Phraya River and Bangkok’s historic canals, visited Baan Silapin (The Artist’s House), explored the majestic Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, immersed themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of Pak Khlong Talat (Flower Market), and enjoyed a guided walk through Bangkok’s historic Chinatown, discovering its rich cultural heritage and dynamic community.About the Global CSR & ESG Summit & Awards™The Global CSR & ESG Summit & Awards™ is a premier international platform dedicated to advancing sustainability, corporate responsibility, and ESG leadership, bringing together global policymakers, business leaders, and innovators to shape the future of responsible business in a rapidly evolving world.Results for the Global CSR & ESG Awards™ 2026Award Categories 2026:Best Environmental Excellence AwardBest Community Programme AwardExcellence in Provision of Literacy & Education AwardEmpowerment of Women AwardBest Workplace Practices AwardCSR & ESG Leadership AwardBest CEO AwardBest Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Team AwardBest Product Excellence AwardBest Country Excellence AwardWinners by Award, Market Capitalization & AchievementBest CEO AwardsPT PLN Indonesia Power UBP Suralaya — Up to USD 500 Million in Market Capitalization — PlatinumAdvanta Enterprises Limited — USD 1 Billion and above in Market Capitalization— PlatinumPT Pertamina EP Zona 7 — USD 1 Billion and Above in Market Capitalization — GoldChevron Thailand Exploration and Production, Ltd. — USD 1 Billion and Above in Market Capitalization — PlatinumBest Corporate Communications & Investor RelationsGodrej Consumer Products Indonesia — Up to USD 500 Million in Market Capitalization — PlatinumBest Environmental Excellence AwardsUp to USD 500 Million in Market CapitalizationPertamina EP Cepu Region 4 – Papua Field — BronzePT Pertamina Hulu Sanga Sanga — Bronze, SilverPertamina EP Cepu Region 4 – Sukowati Field — SilverShinec Joint Stock Company — GoldPT PLN Indonesia Power UBP Suralaya — GoldPT Pertamina Patra Niaga RU III Plaju — GoldPT Kalimantan Prima Persada Jobsite INDE — GoldPertamina EP Cepu Region 4 – Donggi Matindok Field — PlatinumPacific Seeds Thailand (A subsidiary of Advanta Enterprises Ltd) — PlatinumUSD 500 Million to USD 1 Billion in Market CapitalizationPT Maruwai Coal (Alamtri Minerals Indonesia) — PlatinumUSD 1 Billion and Above in Market CapitalizationIndonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) — BronzePT PLN Indonesia Power UBP Cilegon — BronzePT Pertamina Patra Niaga Aviation Fuel Terminal Supadio — BronzeMicron Technology Malaysia — SilverChevron Thailand Exploration and Production, Ltd. — SilverHirdaramani Vietnam - Fashion Garments Limited — SilverNagaWorld — SilverPT Chandra Asri Pacific Tbk — GoldPTTEP Indonesia — GoldCharoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited — GoldPT Pertamina EP Zona 7 — GoldPT Astra International Tbk — GoldPertamina International Shipping — PlatinumBest Community Programme AwardsUp to USD 500 Million in Market CapitalizationPT Pertamina EP Sangatta Field — BronzeBHG Retail REIT — BronzePT Pertamina Patra Niaga FT Maos — BronzePT PLN Indonesia Power UBP Suralaya — BronzePT Pertamina Patra Niaga Integrated Terminal Semarang — SilverPT Pertamina Patra Niaga AFT Sepinggan — SilverPT Pertamina Hulu Energi Jambi Merang — SilverPT PLN Indonesia Power UBP Jateng 2 Adipala — SilverPT Pertamina Patra Niaga AFT Syamsudin Noor — SilverPT Tangkas Cipta Optimal (TACO) — GoldGreenio Company Limited — GoldPertamina EP Cepu Region 4 – Sukowati Field — GoldPT Badak NGL — GoldPT Kalimantan Prima Persada Jobsite INDE — GoldPT Pertamina Patra Niaga Integrated Terminal Banjarmasin — GoldPT Pertamina EP Sangasanga Field — PlatinumUSD 500 Million to USD 1 Billion in Market CapitalizationVNG Group — BronzePhilippine Manufacturing Co. of Murata, Inc. — SilverPT Pertamina Patra Niaga Fuel Terminal Tarakan — SilverPT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk Area Ulubelu — GoldPT Hengjaya Mineralindo — GoldPT Amazon Data Services Indonesia — GoldPertamina EP Cepu Region 4 – Cepu Field — PlatinumUSD 1 Billion and Above in Market CapitalizationIndonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) — BronzePT Pertamina EP Zona 7 — BronzePT Pertamina Patra Niaga Integrated Terminal Ampenan — BronzeNagaWorld Limited — SilverPT Pertamina Patra Niaga Aviation Fuel Terminal Supadio — SilverPT Chandra Asri Pacific Tbk — SilverPT PLN Indonesia Power Unit Bisnis Pembangkitan Semarang — SilverManulife (Vietnam) Limited — SilverJOB Pertamina-Medco E&P Tomori Sulawesi — SilverCentral Retail — GoldChevron Thailand Exploration and Production, Ltd. — GoldCharoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited — GoldPT Petrosea Tbk — GoldPT Pamapersada Nusantara — GoldPT Pertamina Patra Niaga Refinery Unit IV Cilacap — GoldPhu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company (PNJ) — GoldMicron Technology Malaysia — GoldPT Pertamina EP Zona 7 — GoldAdvanta Enterprises Limited — GoldPertamina International Shipping — GoldPTTEP Energy Development Company Limited the subsidiary of PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited — PlatinumExcellence in Provision of Literacy & Education AwardUp to USD 500 Million in Market CapitalizationPacific Seeds Thailand (A subsidiary of Advanta Enterprises Ltd)— BronzePT PLN Indonesia Power UBP Suralaya — SilverPT Kalimantan Prima Persada Job Site BDMA — GoldPT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam — PlatinumUSD 500 Million to USD 1 Billion in Market CapitalizationDole Philippines Inc. - Stanfilco Division — BronzePT Saptaindra Sejati — SilverPT Amazon Data Services Indonesia — GoldPTTEP International Limited (Yangon Branch) — PlatinumUSD 1 Billion and Above in Market CapitalizationIndonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) — BronzePT Pertamina EP Zona 7 — SilverPT Pertamina Patra Niaga Aviation Fuel Terminal Supadio — SilverTata Consultancy Services Limited — GoldNagaWorld Limited — GoldVinUniversity — GoldViettel Group — PlatinumEmpowerment of Women AwardUp to USD 500 Million in Market CapitalizationPT Pertamina Patra Niaga Integrated Terminal Pontianak — BronzeBHG Retail REIT — SilverPT Mustika Indah Permai — SilverPertamina EP Cepu Region 4 – Sukowati Field — GoldAmazon Development Centre (India) Private Limited — GoldEvermos — PlatinumUSD 500 Million to USD 1 Billion in Market CapitalizationPertamina EP Tanjung Field — PlatinumUSD 1 Billion and Above in Market CapitalizationPT Pertamina Patra Niaga Aviation Fuel Terminal Supadio — SilverPT Pertamina EP Zona 7 — GoldPT Pertamina EP Jambi Field — PlatinumBest Workplace Practices AwardMicron Technology Malaysia — USD 1 Billion and Above in Market Capitalization — PlatinumProduct Excellence AwardsUp to USD 500 Million in Market CapitalizationPT PLN Indonesia Power UBP Suralaya — SilverPertamina EP Cepu Region 4 – Cepu Field — GoldCoMem Natural Cosmeceutics Joint Stock Company — PlatinumUSD 1 Billion and Above in Market CapitalizationPT Pertamina Patra Niaga Aviation Fuel Terminal Supadio — GoldPT Pertamina EP Zona 7 — PlatinumCSR & ESG Leadership AwardsUp to USD 500 Million in Market CapitalizationPertamina EP Cepu Region 4 – JOB Tomori — BronzeCoMem Natural Cosmeceutics Joint Stock Company — SilverPTTEP Sarawak Oil Limited — GoldPT PLN Indonesia Power UBP Suralaya — GoldViettel IDC — GoldNikita Asthana, Olam Global Agri Pte Ltd — PlatinumUSD 500 Million to USD 1 Billion in Market CapitalizationPT Hengjaya Mineralindo — GoldCP Axtra Public Company Limited — PlatinumUSD 1 Billion and Above in Market CapitalizationPertamina Geothermal Energy Area Kamojang — BronzeKasikornbank PCL — SilverHirdaramani Vietnam – Fashion Garments Limited — SilverPT Pertamina EP Zona 7 — SilverBank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited — GoldPT Chandra Asri Pacific Tbk — GoldMicron Technology Malaysia — GoldTata Consultancy Services Limited — GoldChevron Thailand Exploration and Production, Ltd. — PlatinumBest Country Excellence AwardsPTTEP Energy Development Company Limited the subsidiary of PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited — Thailand — PlatinumIndonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) — Indonesia — GoldPT Lami Packaging Indonesia — Indonesia — PlatinumCoMem Natural Cosmeceutics Joint Stock Company — Vietnam — PlatinumMicron Technology Malaysia — Malaysia — PlatinumNagaWorld Limited — Cambodia — PlatinumFor media inquiries, please contact:Eric Khoo (Mr.)Head of Global Events and PartnershipsSustainable Technology CentreEmail: eric.khoo@pinnaclegroup.globalTel: +65 8383 2480 Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
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Taozhu New Creation Bureau Launches Dual-Store Rollout, Accelerating Shoucheng Holdings’ (697.HK) Robotics Ecosystem Toward the Consumer Market
HONG KONG, May 4, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Taozhu New Creation Bureau, the robotics technology experience brand under Shoucheng Holdings (697.HK), is accelerating its entry into core consumer scenarios. On April 30, Taozhu New Creation Bureau’s Beijing apm store officially commenced operations; on May 1, its Beijing Chaoyang Hopson One store subsequently made its debut. The coordinated launch of two stores in prime commercial districts not only expands the brand’s offline consumer touchpoints, but also marks the further extension of Shoucheng Holdings’ robotics industry strategy from the investment and industrial ends to the mass consumer market.Built around the brand philosophy of “reimagining tradition through innovation,” Taozhu New Creation Bureau targets robotics technology experiences and future lifestyle consumption scenarios. It has created a multifunctional smart living space that integrates robotics displays, immersive experiences, interactive engagement, product sales, after-sales maintenance services, and industrial ecosystem exchange. At the Beijing apm store, demonstrations such as robotic dog walking displays, companion robot Q&A sessions, and smart wearable trials transform cutting-edge technology from static showcases into real consumer experiences, encouraging consumers to move from “watching technology” to “trying technology” and ultimately “buying technology.”Following the Beijing apm store’s role in opening up consumer touchpoints through immersive interaction, the launch of the Beijing Chaoyang Hopson One store further introduces this experience model into high-frequency commercial scenarios, amplifying its value in commercial conversion and scenario validation. Located in the core CBD area, Hopson One benefits from high foot traffic, a young consumer demographic, and strong family consumption frequency. This collaboration is not merely a single-store opening, but a cross-sector upgrade between a commercial district operator and a robotics industry platform. Through robot performances, technology and innovation interaction experiences, holiday-limited promotions, science education courses, and themed events, the two parties aim to create a new traffic engine for “commercial district + technology.” For the commercial district, Taozhu New Creation Bureau can help generate buzz, aggregate foot traffic, and extend customer dwell time. For robotics companies, it provides channels for real user feedback, market validation, sales conversion, and after-sales reach, supporting the transition of cutting-edge robotics products from exhibitions and laboratories into high-frequency consumer scenarios.From the perspective of Shoucheng Holdings’ overall robotics footprint, the significance of Taozhu New Creation Bureau lies in completing the commercialization loop. In recent years, Shoucheng Holdings has continued to deepen its presence across embodied intelligence, humanoid robots, medical robots, service robots, and other fields. Its investment portfolio now includes a number of companies such as Unitree Robotics, Galbot, Narwal Robotics, Xinghaitu, Songyan Dynamics, Weici Technology, and R-robot. The robotics industry is currently at a critical stage of moving from technological breakthroughs toward scaled applications. Companies generally require support from real-world scenarios, sales channels, user data, and after-sales systems. Taozhu New Creation Bureau is therefore assuming the dual role of both an “industrial outlet” and a “consumer gateway.”More notably, leveraging its accumulated capabilities in infrastructure asset operations, industrial space management, fund investment, and the REITs ecosystem, Shoucheng Holdings is building an “investment + application + consumption” industrial model. At the front end, the company secures high-quality robotics enterprises through fund investments; at the midstream level, it promotes technology deployment through industrial spaces and application scenarios; and at the back end, it reaches users and forms a closed loop of transactions and services through consumer channels such as Taozhu New Creation Bureau.For the capital market, the expansion of Taozhu New Creation Bureau offers a new window through which to assess the execution quality of Shoucheng Holdings’ robotics strategy. The long-term value of the robotics industry depends not only on technological advancement, but also on whether products can enter real-life scenarios, generate stable orders, and support sustained repeat purchases. As diversified scenarios such as Shougang Park, Beijing Capital International Airport, Beijing apm, and Hopson One are gradually rolled out, Shoucheng Holdings is advancing its robotics ecosystem from “investing early and investing accurately” toward “selling effectively, being practically usable, and delivering ongoing services.” Market participants noted that Taozhu New Creation Bureau is expected to become one of the closest links to cash flow, users, and scenarios within Shoucheng Holdings’ robotics industry layout. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
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Taozhu New Creation Bureau Expands into Beijing’s Core Commercial Districts, Accelerating Shoucheng Holdings’ (697.HK) Robotics Ecosystem into Mainstream Consumer Scenarios
HONG KONG, May 4, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Commercial competition in the robotics industry is shifting from technology showcases to real-world consumer applications. Taozhu New Creation Bureau, a robotics technology experience brand under Shoucheng Holdings (697.HK), has recently accelerated its rollout in Beijing’s core commercial districts. Following the official opening of its Beijing apm store on April 30, the brand’s Chaoyang Hopson One outlet also debuted on May 1, further strengthening the company’s offline robotics experience network.At the Beijing apm store, Taozhu New Creation Bureau continues to embody its brand philosophy of “reimagining tradition through innovation,” creating an immersive smart living space that integrates product showcases, hands-on experiences, interactive engagement, product sales, and maintenance services. Consumers can interact up close with humanoid robots, companion robots, smart wearable devices, and other products, experiencing how robotics technology is moving from being merely “watchable” to genuinely “usable” across scenarios such as household service assistance, entertainment interaction, and smart living trials.The Chaoyang Hopson One store further enhances Taozhu New Creation Bureau’s commercial appeal within high-traffic retail districts. Centered on the theme of “empowering commerce through technology and driving consumption through innovation,” the store will introduce products from ecosystem partners including Unitree Robotics, Booster Robotics, Vbot, and others. Its product offerings cover quadruped robotic dogs, educational programming robots, smart wearables, smart home devices, and other intelligent equipment. Through robot performances, technology and innovation interactions, science education courses, themed events, and holiday-limited activities, the store aims to attract young consumers, parent-child families, and technology enthusiasts, while converting experiential engagement into consumption. It is positioned as a benchmark project for robotics technology consumption experiences and is expected to support the upgrade of traditional commercial districts into integrated “technology + commerce” scenarios.From the perspective of its Beijing footprint, Taozhu New Creation Bureau has now covered locations including Shougang Park, Beijing Capital International Airport, Beijing apm, and Chaoyang Hopson One, forming a multi-dimensional robotics consumption network that connects industrial landmarks, transportation hubs, and core commercial districts. Shougang Park serves as a venue for industrial showcase and technology experience, the airport store reaches high-mobility traveler groups, while Beijing apm and Hopson One tap into core urban retail consumption scenarios. Together, these locations form the front-end platform for showcasing, experiencing, and selling Shoucheng Holdings’ robotics products.Meanwhile, Taozhu New Creation Bureau is also promoting nationwide replicability. The brand previously made its debut in Chengdu’s Chunxi Road commercial district, leveraging a key consumption landmark in Southwest China to test a consumer pathway combining immersive interaction, on-site experience, and instant purchase. As the brand expands into more core commercial districts in major cities, Taozhu New Creation Bureau is expected to replicate its Beijing model across the national market.For Shoucheng Holdings, Taozhu New Creation Bureau will further complete its robotics commercialization value chain. The company invests in high-quality robotics enterprises at the front end, introduces products into diversified scenarios such as industrial parks, airports, and commercial districts at the midstream level, and completes a closed loop of experience, sales, maintenance, and services through offline stores at the back end. As the robotics industry enters a phase of accelerated application deployment, Taozhu New Creation Bureau is becoming Shoucheng Holdings’ robotics consumption gateway closest to users, orders, and cash flow. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
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Professional Investment Advisory Services’ Management Successfully Completes Change in Ownership
SINGAPORE, May 4, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Professional Investment Advisory Services Pte Ltd (“PIAS”) today announced that its management has completed the acquisition of PIAS from Singapore Life Limited (“Singlife”), through the purchase of all its shares in Professional Advisory Holdings Limited (“PAH”), PIAS’s holding company.The change in ownership, approved by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (“MAS”), took effect on 1 May 2026 and was mutually agreed between PIAS management and Singlife. Singlife continues to be a key product provider and partner to PIAS.Singlife will continue to support PIAS in its mission to grow and offer more choice to consumers. PIAS' management team will assume full ownership of the business and shape its next phase of growth.PIAS representatives will continue to serve clients as usual, with no impact on existing servicing arrangements. Day-to-day operations continue as normal.Following the change in ownership, PIAS will continue to expand its suite of providers and partners across savings, protection and investment solutions. With increasing longevity, a broader range of financial solutions will better position PIAS to support clients along their financial planning journey.About Professional Investment Advisory Services Pte Ltd (PIAS)Professional Investment Advisory Services Pte Ltd (“PIAS”) is a financial advisory firm in Singapore, established in 2001 and licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.As a pioneering financial advisory firm in Singapore, PIAS has close to 25 years of operating experience, having navigated multiple market cycles. It has served over 200,000 families, supporting their financial planning needs across different life stages.PIAS has a network of financial adviser representatives providing advice across savings, insurance and investment planning.For more information, visit www.pias.sg. Media contact:Kamal Samuel Managing Director, Financial PR kamal@financialpr.com.sgRishika Tiwari Senior Consultant, Financial PR rishika@financialpr.com.sg Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
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Cruise ship outbreak kills 3 as officials delay medical evacuations and investigate hantavirus threat
(SeaPRwire) - The World Health Organization (WHO) announced in a statement posted to X that a suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard an Atlantic Ocean cruise ship has left three people dead and multiple others sickened. The UN health agency stated one case of hantavirus infection has been confirmed via laboratory testing, while five more suspected cases are still awaiting results. Among the six impacted people, three have died, and one is currently receiving intensive care in South Africa. WHO noted it is coordinating with national governments and the ship’s operating company to arrange medical evacuation for two passengers showing infection symptoms, while continuing to evaluate public health risks for everyone still remaining on board. "Full detailed investigations are ongoing, including additional laboratory testing and epidemiological studies," the WHO said. "Medical care and support are being provided to all passengers and crew. Viral sequencing is also continuing." The outbreak is connected to the m/v Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship navigating the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa. Oceanwide Expeditions, the company that operates the vessel, confirmed three passengers died during the voyage, and one passenger is currently being treated in intensive care in Johannesburg. Two crew members still on board the ship also need urgent medical care, the company stated. According to the company, as of late Sunday, authorities in Cape Verde had not approved the disembarkation of passengers requiring medical treatment or wider medical screening. Local health officials have boarded the vessel to assess the situation, but have not yet given approval to transfer symptomatic people to medical facilities on land. "Oceanwide Expeditions’ top priority is to ensure the two symptomatic individuals on board receive adequate and prompt medical care," the company said. Dutch authorities are working to coordinate the repatriation of affected people from Cape Verde to the Netherlands, though this effort is contingent on approval from local officials, Oceanwide Expeditions noted. Hantavirus infections are most commonly linked to exposure to urine or feces from infected rodents, and can lead to serious respiratory illness. "While person-to-person spread is rare, hantavirus can transmit between people, cause severe respiratory illness, and requires careful patient monitoring, support and response," WHO said. There is no specific cure for the virus, though early intervention can improve a patient’s chance of survival. WHO stated it has notified global health authorities in line with international regulations, and continues to support the ongoing response effort. "We are currently working to confirm all details of the incident and coordinate appropriate medical care, screening and next steps," Oceanwide Expeditions said. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
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Somali pirates and Houthi alliance target $1T oil trade route with revived hijack tactics
(SeaPRwire) - A rise in Somali piracy is stoking concerns about a Red Sea "security vacuum" throughout the region, with analysts cautioning against a resurrected maritime crime strategy now connected to Iran-supported Houthis.This warning follows a May 2 report from Yemen’s coast guard that armed individuals hijacked an oil tanker off Shabwa and directed it toward the Gulf of Aden; the vessel has since been located, and recovery efforts are underway, per Reuters."A fundamental shift is occurring in the maritime center of gravity during this new phase of regional maritime instability," Ido Shalev, chief operating officer at RTCOM Defense, told Digital."Somali factions and groups tied to the Houthis are collaborating—using skiffs and new technology to attack ships with coordination not seen in a decade—while Saudi crude rerouted from the Strait of Hormuz has created a ‘target-rich environment for them,’" he added."This is an opportunistic partnership: the Houthis provide geopolitical cover and advanced GPS and surveillance capabilities, while Somali groups supply on-the-ground personnel or skiffs at sea," Shalev said.Following the capture of the MT Eureka off Shabwa, Shalev—a former Israeli naval officer—remarked that the so-called "Somali model" had returned "with a vengeance.""This is a transactional alliance, happening right in the area where the Houthis are active and aim to inflict harm while supporting their IRGC backers," he stated, then describing how pirates seize entire ships and cargo, transporting them to secure anchorages like Qandala or Garacad."They then demand a ransom for the full package: the vessel, tens of millions of dollars in oil, and the crew," he said.Shalev noted that the surge in regional risk is further worsened by the volatility of the Strait of Hormuz. As Iranian-backed threats persist in the Persian Gulf, global energy flows are shifting."Due to the closure and instability of the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia has diverted millions of barrels of crude per day through its East-West pipeline to the Red Sea port of Yanbu," the former Israeli naval officer said."This turns a sector once used as a backbound route into a target-rich environment. With Brent Crude prices surging—peaking near $115/bbl this quarter—the reward for a successful hijacking has never been higher."According to Windward AI and alerts from the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the risk level in Somali waters was recently upgraded to "substantial" following a wave of hijackings and attempted attacks starting April 21.At least three vessels were hijacked within days: a Somali-flagged fishing boat on April 21, followed by the Palau-flagged tanker Honour 25 (IMO 1099735), and by April 26, a general cargo ship seized and redirected to Garacad.Shalev, who led the design of Nigeria’s "Falcon Eye" project—a surveillance system that successfully reduced piracy in those waters to 0%—warned that the distraction of global warships is being exploited."Because international naval forces are preoccupied with missile threats, a ‘security vacuum’ has opened in the region, allowing pirates to travel vast distances in skiffs to board vulnerable commercial vessels," he said."Somali piracy, which had been suppressed for years, has seen a sharp resurgence that aligns perfectly with the Houthi crisis in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden," Shalev said.Reports indicate the Red Sea carries 12% to 15% of global trade and about 30% of container traffic, moving over $1 trillion in goods annually—including oil and LNG."The current crisis proves you can’t ‘patrol’ your way out of this; you have to detect the threat before it ever reaches the ship," Shalev said. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
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by: jenn
Three Decades On, Cult Horror Film Retains Its Influence
Archive Photos/Moviepix/Getty Images(SeaPRwire) - In 2026, teenage girls have a wider selection of horror movies than ever before. Most recently, Forbidden Fruits was created specifically for this demographic, which was previously underserved, as I noted in Inverse’s review of the film. However, a decade before "girl horror" was even conceived, one horror movie was immensely popular among witchy teenage girls everywhere.The Craft was released on May 3, 1996, and received mixed reviews, primarily from male critics. Despite this, it became a sleeper hit at the box office, cultivating a devoted cult following that expanded significantly after its release on VHS and DVD in the summer of 1997. This is how I first encountered The Craft, at a slumber party in the late ‘90s, where we attempted to play “light as a feather, stiff as a board” after watching the movie. While no one floated a few feet off the ground like Rochelle (Rachel True) did in the film, I could have sworn I felt my friend’s body becoming lighter as we continued to chant. Were my fingers simply going numb? Likely. But it felt magical nonetheless.This is one of the aspects that makes The Craft so remarkable: Just as the film's slumber-party scene—which also features a memorable moment where Robin Tunney’s character, Sarah, magically changes her hair color from auburn red to blonde—inspired us to replicate what we saw on screen, the rituals depicted in the film also served as a guide for aspiring witches. Through a friend who owned an occult shop, Lirio’s Occult Shop in downtown L.A., where the characters are seen browsing in several scenes, director Andrew Fleming enlisted Dianic Priestess Pat Devin to assist with the film’s magical elements. Having been a teen witch herself, she agreed. Thanks to Devin’s involvement, The Craft offers a fairly accurate portrayal of Wiccan spells and ceremonies as they were practiced in the mid-’90s, with one notable exception: Mannon is not a real Wiccan deity. (Devin stated that she did not want "hordes of teenagers running down to the beach or out to the woods invoking anybody real.")All sleepovers end this way. | Peter Iovino/Columbia/Kobal/ShutterstockIn the early days of the internet, this kind of information was much more difficult to access, especially in smaller towns and cities that lacked their own occult stores. This added an element of mystique to the film, though inspiring aspiring Goth girls to embrace their darker sides wasn't the sole reason for its appeal to teenage viewers. Another significant connection The Craft offered its young audience was its depiction of a difficult rite of passage experienced by many teenagers, even those not interested in witchcraft: the dissolution of a friend group.While most high-school bullies lack the destructive capabilities of coven leader Nancy (Fairuza Balk), it can feel that way when your friends suddenly decide they dislike you, grounding the film's supernatural horror in relatable, real-world emotions. There's a reason why multiple generations of teenagers have connected with these characters: When you feel alienated from your peers, your friends become your entire world. And losing that feels as dramatic as the movie's climax appears.Rachel True in 2023. | Arnold Turner/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty ImagesThe character of Rochelle has been particularly influential. Despite being excluded from the film's publicity in 1996, Rachel True's portrayal of a young Black witch discovering her powers—and her candidness about her experiences with racism in Hollywood—have established her as an icon among witches and horror fans of color. As a practicing witch herself, she even released her own Tarot deck, True Heart Intuitive Tarot, in 2020.All these elements combine to give The Craft an aura of magic, something that many subsequent witch-themed movies and TV series have attempted to replicate. While some have succeeded, if you're looking for a movie that the entire coven can enjoy, The Craft remains unparalleled.The Craft is available for rent on Prime Video and other digital platforms. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
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by: osami
South Korea Police Arrest Over 6,000 in Crackdown on Illegal Gambling Pubs
(AsiaGameHub) - Police report that numerous South Korean gambling experience pubs are allowing patrons to place real-money bets on poker and other casino games, just before a new crackdown targeting the so-called “Texas Hold ’em pubs.” Law enforcement officials nationwide will increase their oversight of pubs that provide casino-style experiences in exchange for a cover fee. For four consecutive years, police have launched similar initiatives, driven by complaints that these pubs enable some customers to gamble using cash. Between 2023 and 2025, police carried out three “intensive” crackdowns, resulting in the arrest of 6,285 individuals on charges related to running unlicensed gambling venues or engaging in illegal betting. During the same timeframe, detectives seized approximately 24 billion won (equivalent to $16.3 million) in suspected gambling proceeds, according to South Korean news outlet Newsis. Authorities state they will closely monitor these pubs from May through August, noting that illegal operators are employing “growing secrecy” to hide their unlawful activities. Per South Korean law, only one casino—the state-run High1 in Gangwon Province—is allowed to welcome domestic passport holders. Nevertheless, this has not curbed the growth of illegal gambling, as officials put the size of the underground industry at $65 billion. Illegal gambling operations at a so-called “Texas Hold ’em pub” in South Korea. (Image: Busan Metropolitan Police Agency) South Korean Gambling Experience Pubs: ‘Intense’ Enforcement Campaign The National Police Agency noted that its newest crackdown is a reaction to criminals’ growing use of “advanced and secretive operational tactics.” The agency highlighted an increase in “highly secure social media platforms” like Telegram. Police report that some illegal operators utilize encrypted messaging applications to organize private real-money betting events. According to police, many operators are cautious of law enforcement oversight and implement strict “membership and reservation systems.” Some use CCTV networks and hire security personnel to ensure only trusted patrons access their locations outside regular business hours. Police state that many operators covertly swap the gaming chips used at their venues for cash. Additionally, some earn commissions for referring customers to real-money gambling spots. Police have discovered that numerous venues host illegal Texas Hold ’em tournaments requiring entry fees from participants. Officers added that many of these tournaments “award substantial cash prizes to winners.” Appeal for Whistleblowers In certain instances, groups of operators may face organized crime charges if prosecutors can demonstrate that the group “systematically assigned” roles to its members. Legislators have supported police efforts through new laws. In 2024, members of parliament passed an amendment to the Tourism Promotion Act. This new provision permits the penalization of “quasi-casino operations” at Texas Hold ’em pubs. Police have informed potential whistleblowers that they could receive a reward of up to $34,000 for information that results in an arrest. The agency also noted that illegal gamblers who surrender themselves during this period will qualify for “discretionary leniency.” Police stated that officers will avoid “random crackdowns on businesses that comply with legal regulations.” According to data from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, South Korea had 1,200 Texas Hold ’em pubs across the country in 2023. Despite their name, numerous South Korean Texas Hold ’em pubs provide a broad range of casino-style games beyond poker, such as roulette, blackjack, craps, and baccarat. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.
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by: osami
Thai Police Crack Down on $15.3M Online Casino Money Laundering Operation
(AsiaGameHub) - Thai authorities report dismantling a money laundering operation that served a well-known online gambling network. In an official statement, the Thai Department of Special Investigation (DSI) announced the freezing and seizure of funds from multiple bank accounts amounting to more than 500 million baht, equivalent to $15.3 million. Law enforcement stated they conducted a raid on a factory location in Chom Thong District, Bangkok, on the afternoon of April 27. There, they apprehended a man identified as Chaiyuth (surname withheld) based on a warrant from March. The Wat Raja Orasaram monastery in Chom Thong District, Bangkok. (Image: Hdamm/Heinrich Damm [CC BY 2.0]) Police confirmed the suspect faces three distinct charges related to money laundering. Authorities further stated that Chaiyuth has been detained pending a hearing at a criminal court in the Thai capital. Investigators allege Chaiyuth created a series of shell accounts, which he used to process illicit funds originating from several online casinos. According to police, all these casinos are run by the same online gambling syndicate. The case is still ongoing as officers pursue their probe into the broader criminal group. Thai Police Pursue Gambling Den Operators This arrest coincided with a government announcement about extending a major crackdown targeting illegal gambling dens, transnational crime syndicates, and forgers of immigration papers. As reported by Thai outlet The Better, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul addressed the media on April 30 alongside cabinet members and security agency representatives. The Prime Minister explained that the initiative, dubbed Operation Dragon’s Scales, has already led to the shutdown of a large network of illegal gambling dens in Nakhon Ratchasima province and Bangkok. Officials verified that police executed raids at numerous locations in both areas. The crackdown in Nakhon Ratchasima led to the arrest of 89 people and the confiscation of millions of dollars from the alleged den operators. Police estimate the provincial dens generated roughly 60 million baht (over $1.8 million) monthly. Simultaneously, raids on two Bangkok gambling dens resulted in 100 arrests. Police indicated both venues also earned "tens of millions of baht" each month. Officials stated that police will now broaden the investigation across the country. As part of the same operation, more than 900 police units will work to locate and close many additional illegal betting dens, the officials added. Thailand's social media landscape was recently shaken when “Beer” Anusorn Pothong, an influencer with more than 7.2 million TikTok followers, ended a long hiatus to reveal his addiction to online gambling. Pothong stated that addiction to online casinos had destroyed his personal life and derailed his business ambitions. The influencer confessed to accumulating gambling debts totaling $621,000. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.
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by: nicole
UK maritime agency reports attack on cargo vessel by small boats near Strait of Hormuz
(SeaPRwire) - According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, a large cargo vessel was attacked by multiple small watercraft while passing near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, located around 11 nautical miles west of Sirik, Iran. The captain of the northbound bulk carrier reported the attack to UKMTO, which confirmed all crew members are safe and no environmental damage has been recorded. Ships in the local area were warned to navigate with extra caution and report any suspicious activity as authorities conduct their investigation. The incident happened near one of the world’s most sensitive maritime chokepoints, and comes amid rising tensions over Iran’s stated intention to claim full control over the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media reported that Tehran’s newest peace proposal to the U.S. asserts the strait must be governed and controlled by Iran. "What we know for sure is that we will not retreat from the Strait of Hormuz, and it will never go back to its pre-war state," Ali Nikzad, deputy speaker of Iran’s parliament, stated on Sunday. The location of the attack is notable because territorial waters generally reach up to 12 nautical miles from a country’s coastline. Under international maritime law, however, foreign-flagged vessels are granted the right of innocent passage through territorial waters as long as they do not participate in threatening behavior, fishing, or other forbidden activities. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea states that coastal countries can claim a territorial sea extending up to 12 nautical miles, and foreign vessels are permitted "innocent passage" through these waters. No group immediately claimed responsibility for Sunday’s attack, and the vessel was not publicly named in UKMTO’s initial alert about the incident. Iran has previously used fast-attack boats to harass or seize ships in and around the strait. Sunday’s incident follows a string of maritime attacks in the region amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the U.S. and Israel, with commercial shipping repeatedly caught in the middle of tensions. The Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and is a major route for global energy shipments. The U.S. Energy Information Administration has called it a critical oil chokepoint, and around one-fifth of global petroleum liquids consumption travels through the strait each year in recent times. UKMTO’s alert did not confirm whether the small craft involved were Iranian, and authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident. Bryan Llenas and Nick Kalman contributed to this report. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
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by: jenn
85 Years After a Forgotten Remake, the Horror Genre Remained Unrejuvenated
Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock(SeaPRwire) - The early 1930s Hollywood horror craze spawned some of the genre’s most cherished and impactful films. Though every studio in town dabbled in horror, Universal—home to the iconic monsters—mastered the formula uniquely. Everyone recognizes Dracula, Frankenstein, the Mummy, and their counterparts. But among those iconic figures were numerous underrated treasures, such as the 1934 film The Black Cat. It ranks among the best of its time. The 1941 remake, however? Not nearly as good.Adapted from an Edgar Allan Poe short story, the original The Black Cat centers on a naive American couple on their honeymoon in Hungary. They meet Dr. Vitus Werdegast, a psychiatrist with a shadowy history, and together, they seek shelter in the home of renowned architect Hjalmar Poelzig—someone Werdegast is determined to take revenge on.Billed extensively back then as the much-anticipated showdown between Boris Karloff and Béla Lugosi—two of Universal’s top horror stars—The Black Cat is an unexpectedly twisted film. It’s far grimmer than most of its peers, featuring a plot involving illegal drugs, abduction, torture, and human sacrifice, which peaks with Lugosi’s character flaying Karloff’s alive (a scene depicted entirely in shadow, making it all the more unsettling). It’s astonishing that The Black Cat hit theaters in this form, considering the Hays Code was being strictly enforced around that time and usually wouldn’t let such a deranged work escape censorship.The movie was a major success, but as the decade progressed, the Hays Code made it increasingly difficult for horror films to be as edgy as they needed to be, leading to a decline in their popularity. They didn’t vanish entirely, but between the Code’s restrictions and audiences growing tired of overcrowded markets, a change was necessary. Over at Paramount, executives found success with a mix of horror and comedy—their 1939 Bob Hope-starring film The Cat and the Canary was a big hit. Universal had some experience in this genre blend too: 1933’s The Invisible Man is a horror film, but it also includes slapstick humor, plenty of dark comedy, and jokes about nudity. So the studio decided to try lightning in the same bottle again, reusing the Poe story that had given them a hit just a decade earlier. They also brought Lugosi back for a supporting role to help audiences link the new film to the old one.The 1941 version of The Black Cat bears little resemblance to Poe’s original story. Henrietta Winslow, a woman who loves cats, invites her greedy relatives to her estate to settle her will. Her niece, granddaughters, and their partners are eager to get their hands on the money immediately and are willing to do whatever it takes. Enter chaos. And cats, naturally.The Black Cat barely resembles the Poe story, much less the much-better 1934 film. | Moviestore/ShutterstockThis iteration of The Black Cat has some enjoyable concepts, playing with classic theatrical conventions and a traditional spooky house setting. But the screenplay is a disaster—a haphazard, rushed piece that feels like it never left the draft phase. It’s sluggish, the horror elements aren’t particularly frightening, and the jokes fall flat. Each of its mismatched genre components is poorly executed, a far cry from Universal’s capabilities at the time. Turning a horror-comedy into a murder mystery seems like a bad idea when the climactic reveal is so hurried and unfulfilling. The only thing holding it together (just barely) is the cast: Lugosi, Basil Rathbone (then famous for his Sherlock Holmes roles), Oscar winner Gale Sondergaard, and Anne Gwynne—an early scream queen and Chris Pine’s grandmother! However, making the film wasn’t a pleasant experience for them. Sondergaard later said she "hated doing the thing. It was beneath me." Critics shared her sentiment.In the same year as the The Black Cat remake, Universal put out Hold That Ghost—a horror-comedy starring the beloved comedic pair Abbott and Costello. This film was a much bigger hit and launched an entire franchise where the duo starred alongside Universal’s monsters, including Frankenstein, the Invisible Man, and Jekyll and Hyde. These movies were tailored to the pair’s established comedic style, so audiences were already predisposed to enjoy them. They were crafted around their strengths, whereas The Black Cat felt like a blatant copy of something audiences didn’t want.Horror-comedy is a fantastic mix when done right—take Jordan Peele’s films, The Evil Dead series, or Apple TV’s new Widow’s Bay, for example. There’s plenty of potential in balancing humor and darkness, and vice versa. Universal had nailed this blend before and would do so again after The Black Cat. Unfortunately, with this remake, the studio lacked the courage to fully commit to the genre mix, resulting in a minor Universal monster film that can’t hold a candle to its delightfully bizarre original. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.